spidermike007

Correct. Thailand has been subjected to the Prayuth Decimation. The once might tiger of SE Asia has been reduced to a sickly alley cat, scrounging for crumbs. This could have been prevented, had they not imposed draconian and highly selective shutdowns, and waited far too long to open the nation back up to tourism. Sheer cowardice, combined with gross mismanagement and malfeasance is to blame.

Quite a reconciliation. Perhaps he should be hired as a hostage negotiator, with those skills in diplomacy. Real men try to mend things, and when it is apparent things are not going to work out, they walk away and wish their woman well. Tiny men, who have the emotional development of a 13 year old, succumb to desperation, like a bad child.

Might be worth a try. News would travel around the area quickly. One way to deal with desperados.

I have flown in a few times since the end of the restrictions. Never been asked by immigration. I do think I was asked by the airline last time.

What is the meaning of a law, without enforcement? Will this only be enforced at traffic stops, where people have enough time to put on their belts? Or will the police and the (completely farcical) highway patrol completely reform themselves, and actually start pulling over offenders, speeders, reckless drivers and fools, for the first time in a century? I highly doubt it. Thailand likely has the highest percentage of laws on the books, that are NEVER enforced, of any nation on earth. Nobody respects the cops here. Nobody. And for good reason.

Last year the nation was shut down. So, how does one invest? Of course there was an increase. These ever increasing numbers are not only relatively useless, they are far more significantly symptomatic of real desperation.

One week of law enforcement. Kind of a healthy change of pace. Then 51 weeks of working the franchise.

The defamation laws here were written by cowards, and written for cowards. They are absolutely ridiculous.

Well, as the US amply demonstrates law enforcement is not everything, but it is something. A deterrent is a powerful thing. Not much of one here, as the police rarely do their jobs properly, are motivated by all wrong things, and nobody is afraid of them. Also the judicial system is bent, and seems to be entirely dependent on how much money one has.

No. A good friend who owns property there, and visits often told me it is at about 25% of it's former self. Samui is at about 20%.

Thailand needs fresh energy, young politicians and leaders and progressive ideas. They will not come from these dinosaurs. The house needs to be cleaned, somehow. Granted, this guy has a degree from a good university, and seems smart and experienced. Alot more than one can say about Prayuth and Prawit. But, it will take alot more than that, to bring Thailand back from the brink.

There is so much mindlessness that takes place online these days, with the ability for anyone to say anything. I usually devote several moments of thought to a post, especially when I am criticizing an establishment, with a negative online review. I do this occasionally. But only if there is very good reason for it. And only if it is well deserved. "We are regular customers and we'll definitely be going back to this restaurant," she continued effusively," "The owner is so lovely with a wonderful temperament". Really? If you feel that way, why post something nasty over such a tiny mistake? Or better yet, why not check the dish? It sounds like it was take out. This was an innocent and tiny mistake. Who is really at fault here?

Outside of Bangkok, very, very few Thais wore masks on motorbikes before Covid. So, yes.

It creates a feeling of living in a Zombieland. Throughout the world mask use is dropping, especially outdoors. I was recently in the US, and attended a few concerts, and a Dodgers game. Barely any masks, anywhere. So refreshing. So normal. Covid cases are dropping in most countries. Here too. So, why the paranoia, outdoors?

Alot of blame will be made, and the Aussie may be responsible. However, 3 on a bike is not safe. And the real question is whether or not this accident could have been avoided by either party, if more attention was being paid to the dangerous act of driving here. The parents of the girl will be upset. Can't blame them for that. However, they could be blamed for not making sure their daughter was properly trained to drive the bike well, and drive defensively. Or not drive it at all, at her age.

Kind of like saying Mali is experiencing rapid growth. When you are comparing anything to near zero, growth is inevitable. The real question is, will the hotels and people in the industry see a profit? Are the tourists who come going to spend any real money? Can the industry be sustained, after massive sabotage and legendary timidity? Or has Thailand been forgotten?

Quite the contrary, many of us believe the obsession with masks is due to scare mongering. Especially with regard to wearing masks outdoors in non crowded areas, on the beach, in your car, and on motorbikes.

He was a failure the 1st time around. He is not what Thailand needs now. The nation does need someone younger. But, someone with leadership ability, vision and the ability to bring the nation progress, which has been sorely lacking for 8 years now. What Thailand does not need is another regressive dinosaur, like Prawit or Anutin. Time to rid the nation of useless dregs.

It seems that the primary activity of netizens these days is to express displeasure and be critical. And that is a worldwide phenomena. Why shouldn't monks be able to work out? How can they stay healthy and give clear advice and wisdom without a clear head, which one gets from working out? What is the issue? Or is this just another case of making something out of nothing?

Absolutely incorrect. Thailand has been moving backwards for quite some time. By many indicators. So, if "moving on" means moving backwards, than he is correct. Otherwise, it is nonsense. Prawit is extremely incapable of bringing progress or improvement to the nation. Like Prayuth, he is a destructive and toxic force.

When I was a kid I was easily influenced by others. Thankfully, it has been many decades since I cared one iota what others think of me. Close friends and family, OK. But strangers? Please. Life is too short to be self conscious about strangers. No, I am not a sheep, thankfully. I do my own thing. I care very little what others are doing, wearing, listening to, or watching. Means very little. Also, I gave up lines and waiting on them. If a restaurant is so popular I can't just walk in, I don't eat there. If a bank is busy, I go another time. If a phone is so popular I have to wait for it, I buy another. Same with cars, bikes, etc.

There are alot of diets out there these days. This one is not nearly as difficult as a vegan diet. Every time I travel I am thankful not to have to endure the nightmare of struggling to find something I can eat! Can't even imagine the challenge. Non gluten too. I get the benefit. But, at what price?

Bring on the storms. Please. I love them.

Very true. Alot of us really love Thailand and I for one am very grateful for the life I have here. I love most Thai people. But, I despise the dinosaur leadership. I have some issues with poor driving skills, a completely absent highway patrol, air quality etc. Does that mean I should leave? Why are some so sensitive and thin skinned? So what if we complain a bit? I think there will always be some who just like to pick a bone, and talk nonsense. We simply have to learn to ignore the nonsense. They are like static on a radio.

Hunter this and Hunter that. Really? Is that all you got? Compared to the staggering corruption, moral bankruptcy, infantile name calling, throwing of allies under the bus when they are no longer useful, mass resignations, wholesale giveaway of public lands, wholesale sellouts to corporations, and useless trade wars, Biden is a refreshing change of pace. And certainly not the criminal Trump is and was. Having said that, Biden is not an impressive president.